Hiroshima is a favorite stop among international tourists visiting Japan, which is not surprising when you think about what the city had gone through in the past, particularly during the end of World War II. Now, the city has become the symbol and beacon of peace, drawing not only those curious visitors but also delegates of international conventions and conferences.
There are many ways you can navigate around Hiroshima and reach it from other key cities in Japan — Shinkansen, local trains, highway buses, and airplanes. You need to carefully plan your itinerary well, so you will know the best route for you. Planning your route will also help you spend your money wisely. Transportation and visitor passes make the trip more efficient and cheaper. Here are the passes to consider getting when exploring Hiroshima.
5-Day JR Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass
If you are coming from Fukuoka, this pass provides you unlimited ride in major cities within Yamaguchi and Hiroshima for 5 days. Explore the attractions of within these areas including Hiroshima, Miyajima, Onomichi, Hagi, and Yamaguchi. This pass covers Sanyo Shinkansen (unreserved seat for Mihara – Hakata route only), Express Trains (unreserved seats), Rapid Services (JR West), local trains (JR West), and even the JR West ferry to Miyajima/Itsukushima.
Reserve online and get discounted rate via Klook. Wait for the Exchange Order to be delivered to your house. Select your location here:
➡️ GET YOUR EXCHANGE ORDER HERE
Note: To get your JR Pass, go to the JR counter and show your passport and exchange order.
5-Day JR Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass
This is another pass available if you are coming from Fukuoka. This provides you unlimited ride in major cities within Yamaguchi, Hiroshima, and Okayama for 5 days. This pass covers Sanyo Shinkansen (unreserved seat for Hakata – Okayama route only), Express Trains (unreserved seats), Rapid Services (JR West), local trains (JR West), Chugoku JR buses, and even the JR West ferry to Miyajima/Itsukushima.
Reserve online and get discounted rate via Klook. Wait for the Exchange Order to be delivered to your preferred location. See full details here:
Note: To get your JR Pass, go to the JR counter and show your passport and exchange order.
5-Day JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
If you are traveling to Osaka and you are planning to explore other places in Kansai and Hiroshima, you can get the 5 Day JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. This will allow you to have unlimited rides between Hiroshima, Okayama, Takamatsu, Kinosakionsen prefectures and other major cities in Kansai and Hiroshima; this not only covers train rides but also the JR West ferry rides. Klook offers this pass; pick up is at Kansai International Airport. You may check the full details here:
5-Day JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass
This is another pass available if you are coming from Osaka. This will let you explore the major cities and attraction in the Kansai region. This pass covers Sanyo Shinkansen (unreserved seat for Shin-Osaka – Okayama route only), Express Trains (unreserved seats), Rapid Services (JR West), local trains (JR West), and West JR buses. Book online and get discounted rate via Klook. See full details here:
7-Day JR Sanyo-San’in Area Pass
This pass covers the areas between Osaka and Fukuoka. Coming from either location, this pass gives unlimited rides for seven days on Sanyo Shinkansen (reserved seat for Shin-Osaka – Hakata route), Express Trains, Rapid Services (JR West), local trains (JR West), West JR buses, Chugoku JR buses, and JR West Miyajima ferries. Book online and get discounted rate via Klook. Wait for the Exchange Order to be delivered to your chosen location. See full details here:
➡️ GET YOUR EXCHANGE ORDER HERE
Note: To get your JR Pass, go to the JR counter and show your passport and exchange order.
ICOCA Card
To be clear, the Icoca card is not a pass, but rather a prepaid card. It is a card used primarily for transportation in western Japan, akin to the SUICA and PASMO Card used in Tokyo and other eastern cities. The prepaid card for the Hiroshima Prefecture is the Paspy Card; however, you can’t use the Paspy card for JR-operated transportation. Thus, more often than not, ICOCA card is preferred by international tourists.
Since it’s a prepaid card, you’re still paying for each trip. Once in a while, you also get to enjoy discounted rates when you use this card. But the main convenience of having an Icoca card is you don’t need to get into a queue every time you’re buying a ticket. Just place the card on over the magnetic reader, and you’ll get through the platform without hassle.
Aside from train rides, you can also use the Icoca Card on vending machines, convenience stores, buses, and even the lockers found in train stations.
You can get an Icoca card through Icoca machines found in any train station. Simply choose “English” on the welcome screen and follow the instructions. The instructions will very easy to follow.
You can also get an ICOCA card via Klook. One advantage of getting your card via Klook is that the card already comes pre-loaded with JPY 1500, plus your deposit of JPY 500. Once you return the card, you get your deposit back.
JR Pass
The JR Pass will allow you to take unlimited rides within the JR network. It is best for long-distance train travel. If you are only visiting one city in Japan, purchasing one will only cost you precious money.
When is JR Pass worth it? If you are visiting multiple cities in Japan for a period of 7 days or longer. JR Pass covers Shinkansen (high-speed bullet trains), which are very expensive. The JR Pass will allow you to take these speedy trains without worrying about the cost. It’s a great buy if you have a busy itinerary spanning multiple cities.
